Cisco CleanAir Delivers Networkwide RF Analysis

Cisco Systems' new CleanAir Technology delivers spectrum analysis and RF troubleshooting across the WLAN, promising historical forensics, remote diagnosis, accurate source identification and location, and automated remediation actions by the network. CleanAir utilizes specialized hardware embedded within new Aironet 3500 series access points, along with a new version of Cisco's Unified Wireless Network software on the back end to deliver this functionality.

LAS VEGAS, Nev.-At the Interop IT Expo and Conference, Cisco
Systems unveiled new CleanAir Technology comprised of spectrum analysis and
diagnosis tools designed to help wireless administrators maintain more stable
and consistent wireless LAN performance. Comprised of a new line of Aironet access points with specialized embedded
detection hardware and new software revisions for Cisco's data center wireless
control elements, CleanAir promises a unique and comprehensive diagnostic
solution to the problem of non-WiFi radio interference.
In a recent survey of more than 600 of its customers, Cisco
revealed that 78 percent of its customers consider the wireless LAN to be a
mission-critical resource-indicating the increasing importance of the WiFi network
for those surveyed. Meanwhile, 54
percent of respondents indicated RF interference was causing problems with
their WLAN, while an additional 18 percent had no idea if that was the
case.

To address the dichotomy between the importance of the WLAN and
the lack of insight into its overall health and performance, Cisco announced its
new CleanAir initiative designed to provide its customers with increased
visibility into non-WiFi sources of RF energy and interference via spectrum
analysis of both of WiFi's unlicensed spectrum bands. Baked into the network infrastructure,
CleanAir aims to provide administrators with granular, detailed and accurate RF
information to aid troubleshooting and analysis, while also providing the WiFi
network the aggregate intelligence to perform automated interference avoidance actions
as well.

Spectrum analysis is not a new thing, but the technology has
commonly been found in standalone, laptop-based hardware and software setups. With
these tools, RF experts needed to walk the halls of the affected site and take
readings of the RF environment, a lengthy process that is divorced from
remediation actions as the software was not integrated into the network
itself.
Adding spectrum analysis capabilities to access points also isn't
a new idea. Aruba Networks recently
added the feature to its access points, and Motorola AirDefense products had
the capability several years ago. But those
companies implemented spectrum analysis in software, using typical WiFi radios
to perform the detections.
Cisco's CleanAir
differentiates itself by adding specialized spectrum analysis ASICs into their new
line of access points, the Aironet 3500 series. By implementing spectrum analysis in hardware,
the new APs promise the ability to uniquely identify and track multiple interferers,
locate and place them on a map for visualization, and assess each interferer's
unique impact on WiFi performance. In
this way, administrators can easily gauge an interferers effect on network
performance, identify what type of device it is and then accurately pinpoint where
it is for quick removal.
Cisco's CleanAir is based upon the technologies purchased as
part of Cisco's 2007 acquisition of Cognio. Cisco's Spectrum Expert, which is comprised of PC-based management
software and a specialized PC Card for spectrum detection, was licensed for use
as part of Fluke Networks' AirMagnet Spectrum Expert. Although AirMagnet continues to sell the Spectrum
Expert hardware and software, the company released its new Spectrum XT
hardware and software combination earlier this year.
With its detections performed with specialized hardware, Cisco
CleanAir may be able to more accurately identify the type of device
causing the
interference than would be possible with a software-only
implementation. Cisco representatives claim that software-only
implementations may be able to detect RF energy but can't get enough
detail about the interference or its source, particularly with multiple
interferers
present.

Andrew cut his teeth as a systems administrator at the University of California, learning the ins and outs of server migration, Windows desktop management, Unix and Novell administration. After a tour of duty as a team leader for PC Magazine's Labs, Andrew turned to system integration - providing network, server, and desktop consulting services for small businesses throughout the Bay Area. With eWEEK Labs since 2003, Andrew concentrates on wireless networking technologies while moonlighting with Microsoft Windows, mobile devices and management, and unified communications. He produces product reviews, technology analysis and opinion pieces for eWEEK.com, eWEEK magazine, and the Labs' Release Notes blog. Follow Andrew on Twitter at andrewrgarcia, or reach him by email at agarcia@eweek.com.